SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method and apparatus are described for controlling the attitude motions of a spacecraft or other artificial body moving in space by causing certain components thereof to perform prescribed motions relative to one another so as to convert the initial motion of the spacecraft into one of simple rotation. The system includes a means for sensing the instantaneous motion of the body, means for computing the necessary relative motion between components to achieve the desired attitude motions, and means for physically implementing the required relative motion. The computing means may either be carried in the moving body or be remote and communicatively linked to the sensing and controlling apparatus.